Scenario

Lily keeps a dog in her bungalow house in Taman Desa. The dog was named Jacky, who is a pure breed of Rottweiler imported from Germany. Last week, Lily brought Jacky for a stroll around her residence. Two officers from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) saw Jacky and requested Lily to show the license for keeping Jacky in her house, otherwise the officers are going to take Jacky away from Lily.

Lily was puzzled as she never thinks that keeping a dog in her own house requires any license from DBKL. Is it true?

Mythbusted.

Under By-law 3 of the Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) By-Laws 1991, no person shall own, keep, harbour or maintain any dog unless the dog is licensed pursuant to the said by-laws.

Furthermore, any person who fails to comply with the said by-laws shall be liable for a fine for not exceeding RM2,000.00 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both upon conviction of such any offence under the said by-laws. Meanwhile, DBKL is also entitled to seize the dog if the dog doesn’t have any license.

Please take note that all local authorities are empowered under Local Government Act 1976 to issue license for any person who keeps and maintains dog(s) subject to their respective conditions and requirements. Hence, please check with the local authority for any conditions if you are keeping dog(s) in your house.

So, how much did you know about this Legal Myth?

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